Business
30 May 2025
Compassion in World Farming has released a new report, The Growing Threat of Carnivorous Aquaculture, that warns of the disastrous implications for the marine environment, animal welfare and food security of octopus farming and the expansion of carnivorous aquaculture.
The world’s first octopus farm, proposed by Spanish company Nueva Pescanova, could require up to 28,000 tonnes of wild-caught fish in its first year, whilst only producing 3,000 tonnes of octopus meat.
This is the equivalent of two billion individual fish used for feed, growing to a staggering seven billion fish by 2040.
Often touted as a fix for rising seafood demand, carnivorous aquaculture (feed-dependent aquatic animal farming) is putting an unsustainable strain on already overexploited wild fish stocks, the report exposes – and its expansion is exacerbating the problem.
Expanding the industry by introducing new species such as octopus will weaken the resilience of marine ecosystems and global food security, the report finds.
Feed for farmed fish and octopus would be taken from vital forage fisheries in West Africa, South America and Southeast Asia, posing a serious threat to local diets and livelihoods.
Carnivorous aquaculture in the EU is projected to grow 30% by 2040.
By then, farmed octopuses could consume up to 90,700 tonnes of wild fish annually, the equivalent of 7 billion fish, placing a further strain on overfished stocks.
The demand for wild-caught fish in the EU could rise by 70% – to 2.5 million tonnes – by 2040, which is up to 192 billion individual fish per year.
Europe has added 78 new farmed species since 1985, 70% of them needing animal-based feeds.
Spain sourced fish feed from 26 countries in 2020 – the widest network in Europe.
The report names the countries contributing most to this increasing problem.
In Europe, Norway is the top aquaculture producer followed by the UK, Germany, Spain and Denmark.
These countries were also amongst the top exporters of fishmeal and fish oil, alongside the Netherlands.
‘Carnivorous aquaculture is often sold as a quick fix for food security; yet in reality, it weakens food security.
‘Its expansion into octopus farming would raid the plates of coastal communities in the Global South, feeding private profits and premium markets, instead of the people who need it the most. ‘What’s more, our footage clearly shows what we have always said – that it is simply not possible to slaughter farmed octopuses in a humane way. We must act now to keep octopuses wild, protect our oceans and food security.’DR ELENA LARA
Senior research and policy adviser at Compassion in World Farming
To coincide with the report, the animal welfare and environmental NGO released new undercover footage of the cruel slaughter method Nueva Pescanova plans to use in its proposed first octopus farm in Gran Canaria, Spain.
The footage of wild-caught octopuses shows the animals suffering slow and agonising deaths; they are forcibly submerged in icy water, and take at least 10 minutes to die.
To stop this damaging industry in its tracks, Compassion is urging policymakers to back a new global pledge to ‘Keep Them Wild’, to signal their support to ban octopus farming and stop the unsustainable expansion of carnivorous aquaculture.
Members of the public are encouraged to ask their representatives, such as MPs or MEPs, to sign the pledge, which is backed by NGOs and experts across the globe.
UK marine protected areas suffer over 20,000 hours of suspected bottom trawling.
Greenpeace demands greater ocean protection after nearly 2,000km of fishing line was dragged through Sargasso Sea last year.
Can using biodegradable fishing gear help reduce the cost of ghost fishing?
Subscribe to our newsletter
Weekly ethical news, offers, comps and a free digital mag (quarterly) – what’s not to love?
